The Supreme Court on November 3 directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to ensure that the third victim in the 2023 Manipur sexual violence case appears before a special trial court in Guwahati to record her testimony on November 13, 16 and 19.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana noted that, among the three victims besides the complainant, one had already been cross-examined while the second was undergoing examination. The court scheduled further hearings after November 19.
Additional Solicitor General Raja Thakare, appearing for the CBI, told the bench that the trial was progressing in accordance with its directions. However, senior advocate Shadan Farasat, representing accused Yumlembam Jiban Singh, argued that the proceedings had been delayed despite the court’s instructions. Singh is seeking bail.
The case relates to an incident on May 4, 2023, during the ethnic violence in Manipur, when a mob allegedly stripped and paraded three Kuki-Zo women naked in Thoubal district. Two of the women were allegedly gang-raped, while the father and brother of one victim were also allegedly killed.
The Supreme Court is considering separate pleas by the CBI seeking cancellation of bail granted to two accused and challenging the denial of bail to another. On October 5, the court had directed the agency and the trial court to ensure the examination of two key victim-witnesses on October 7, 9 and 28, while asking all parties to cooperate.
The CBI had previously expressed concern that granting bail to the accused could affect witnesses’ willingness to testify. The agency also informed the court that the trial had commenced and that the victims had allegedly been sexually assaulted, paraded and filmed.
The bench had indicated that the bail pleas should be considered after the two victim-witnesses had been examined.
The proceedings form part of the Supreme Court’s broader monitoring of cases linked to the 2023 Manipur violence. On September 17, the court expressed concern over deaths in relief camps housing displaced people and directed the Manipur chief secretary to report on investigations, criminal proceedings and measures to protect residents.
The court had also asked the Manipur and Assam governments and other stakeholders to consider establishing two special trial courts exclusively for CBI and National Investigation Agency cases arising from the ethnic violence, which began on May 3, 2023.
